We, the undersigned California elected officials, urge you to support the creation of a California Climate Superfund to protect California communities and taxpayers from the climate emergency. At a time when Californians face ever-increasing costs from climate-driven disasters, we must make polluters pay for the damage their products have wrought. 

California communities are under siege by escalating fires, floods, droughts, and other disasters. From 1980–2024, 46 extreme weather and climate disaster events impacted California, with losses exceeding $1 billion each. 

In January 2025, the nation watched in horror as fatal firestorms raged across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, destroying entire communities and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Over 12,000 homes, businesses and institutions burned in the apocalyptic fires. The devastation is estimated to cost Californians a staggering $250 billion.  

Across the state, local governments and taxpayers are bearing the immense, mounting costs of rebuilding from climate damages, increased insurance premiums, property taxes, and utility bills. State and local budgets are stretched to the brink as climate risks rise, jeopardizing public services, and forcing communities to carry the burden to address climate-related emergencies. 

Fortunately, there is an option to reduce this burden on local governments and taxpayers. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act will make the multinational fossil fuel companies that are responsible for and profiting from the climate emergency pay. 

The Superfund Act will direct CalEPA to complete a first-of-its-kind comprehensive study of the true cost of climate damage to ensure polluters pay their fair share. The Act will hold the largest polluters accountable for the costs to California from climate damage caused by their products with compensatory fee amounts proportional to companies’ self-reported  past emissions from 1990-2024.

The policy advances California’s commitment to equity and environmental justice. At least 40% of funds from the Polluters Pay Climate Fund will go to disadvantaged communities to remedy past climate damages and build a more resilient and equitable California. The funds will support urgently-needed projects such as implementing wildfire prevention measures like home hardening, upgrading stormwater management systems to prevent flooding, and installing solar panels and energy storage systems to reduce energy costs and increase resilience during power outages. Additionally, these funds could help develop urban green spaces to mitigate heat islands and improve air quality. Importantly, it could fund programs to support first responders and additional workers who provide essential services during climate disasters.

New York and Vermont have enacted their versions of a climate superfund similar to this one. The people of California deserve justice, too. California must lead the way to a safer, resilient, and prosperous future for all.

We strongly urge your support for the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act now.  

Sincerely,